Hawks hope to stay on track vs. Pelicans

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Hawks have won five straight and will try to keep the momentum going Friday night when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to Philips Arena.

The Hawks' winning streak came on the heels of a six-game losing streak. Atlanta is four clear of the surging New York Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and just a half-game behind the Charlotte Bobcats for seventh.

The Hawks' fifth consecutive victory came Tuesday night at home against the Toronto Raptors.

Paul Millsap recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Hawks to a 118-113 overtime win over the Raptors.

"I can't do it without the team," said Millsap on his triple-double. "They knocked down shots, especially for the assists. They gave me some good looks. I knocked down some shots. It's a great win overall. That's what we're out to get. We're out to win games."

Jeff Teague tied his career-high with 34 points for Atlanta, which won its third in a row at home. Kyle Korver added 16 points in the win.

The Hawks only committed nine turnovers in the victory and forced 15 from Toronto. Atlanta parlayed the 15 Raptors miscues into 22 points.

The Pelicans have lost three of their last four, all at home. They completed a six-game residency 3-3 as almost all playoff aspirations have faded, due mostly to significant injuries to Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson and Jason Smith.

On Wednesday, New Orleans fell, 107-100, to the Raptors, who were led by 31 points from DeMar DeRozan.

Al-Farouq Aminu scored 19 and had 10 rebounds and Tyreke Evans netted 18 points for the Pelicans, who were without All-Star Anthony Davis due to an upper respiratory infection.

"He's a freak athlete. He helps the team out a ton. ... Obviously with a guy that can rebound like Anthony, it's hard to make up for that," Pelicans forward Jeff Withey said.